THE VALUE OF PLANNING

THE HARTFORD COURANT

A space squeeze looms in East Granby's public buildings. Rather than wait until the fit is too tight, the Board of Selectmen has voted to form a seven-member committee to consider space needs for the next two decades. That's a good idea. Planning averts crisis decision-making, which can be expensive.

The East Granby Public Library Association already has said it expects the library will need an addition in the next 20 years. The study committee's work could confirm that projection.

It doesn't take a crystal ball to know that as the town acquires more paved roads, there will be a need for more snowplows. Four plows can now plow the 30 miles of paved roads. Another eventually will be needed. But five plows would not fit in a four-bay highway garage. In planning when to buy that fifth snowplow, the town must be sure to make provision for a town garage large enough in which to park it.

Only 16 percent of the 2,075 questionnaires that the town mailed to East Granby residents and property owners in September have been returned. Town officials want to learn residents' views about updating the town's plan of development. This is a poor showing when compared with the returns in a similar poll done in 1974. The answer rate then was 80 percent.

Residents should never pass up an opportunity to express their preferences on things that can affect their lives. Replying to the questionnaire will give those updating the plan some idea of what residents want and don't want. If the questionnaire is still around the house, take five minutes to fill it out and get it back to Town Hall. It could be worth your while.